George Washington, newly appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, arrived at the American camp in Cambridge, Massachusetts on July 2, 1775 and, according to tradition, took command of the troops in a ceremony on July 3 that occurred under the branches of an elm tree on Cambridge Common. As described by Benson J. Lossing in his Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution: "...at about nine o'clock, the troops at Cambridge were drawn up in order upon the Common to receive the commander-in-chief. Accompanied by the general officers of the army who were present, Washington walked from his quarters to the great elm-tree that now stands at the north end of the Common, and, under the shadow of its broad covering, stepped a few paces in front, made some remarks, drew his sword, and formally took command of the Continental Army." There is little reliable evidence that such a formal ceremony took place, and it was only a decade or so before Lossing published his account in 1851 that any mention was made of the elm. The Washington Elm, however, became an important symbol of the American Revolution.
"Washington Taking Command of the Army," engraving after the painting by Alonzo Chappel (1828-1887) from John Frederick Schroeder, Life and Times of Washington (New York, 1857-1861).
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth in 1932, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) planned to place scions of the Cambridge Washington Elm, which had succumbed to decay in 1923, in every state capital. On February 5, 1932, Louisa Taylor Alger, Regent of the Peggy Stewart Chapter of the DAR, wrote to Rear Admiral Thomas Hart, Superintendent of the Naval Academy, requesting that the chapter be allowed to plant a Washington Elm on the Naval Academy grounds and place a bronze marker near it. In his reply authorizing the tree planting, the superintendent expressed his delight that the chapter had chosen the academy for the location of the elm.
Letter from Louisa Taylor Alger requesting permission to plant a scion of the Cambridge Washington Elm at the Naval Academy and Superintendent Hart's reply.
The sapling was planted on March 26 in a triangular plot at the northeast corner of Worden Field, behind the Engineering & Aeronautics Building (Isherwood Shop Building). Alice Paret Dorsey of Baltimore, DAR National Vice Chairman, Eastern Division--Conservation and Thrift, had supplied the scion, requesting that it be planted immediately upon its arrival at the academy. Superintendent Hart had appointed Lieutenant Commander Fred Kingsley Elder to represent the academy in arranging the ceremony connected with the planting. After consultation with Mrs. Alger, Lieutenant Commander Elder reported to the superintendent that they had chosen Army Day (April 6) for the dedication of the Washington Elm, that date considered "most appropriate since Washington was the first Commander-in-Chief of the Army."
Memorandum to Superintendent Hart from Lieutenant Commander Fred Kingsley Elder, USN, reporting that the Washington Elm had been planted under his direction on March 29, 1932 at 11:45 a.m.
Notice of the ceremony "in connection with the presentation of a scion of the Cambridge Washington Elm" to be held at the Naval Academy on April 6, 1932 at 2:30 p.m.
Members of the Peggy Stewart Tea Party Chapter, invited guests, representatives of the Naval Academy, and the Naval Academy band gathered around the little tree on a partly sunny afternoon with a light northeast breeze and a temperature of 62 degrees, a perfect early spring day for an outdoor event. At 2:30 p.m., the ceremony began with the band playing "America" followed by an invocation from the Naval Academy chaplain. After Mrs. Alger delivered remarks, Lieutenant Commander Elder placed a small portion of French earth, sent to the state regent in 1931 for planting at Yorktown on the 150th anniversary of that battle, around the tree. Mrs. Dorsey then provided a history of the Cambridge Washington Elm, the Maryland regent dedicated and presented the tree to the Naval Academy, the superintendent formally accepted the elm, and the ceremony closed with the "Star-Spangled Banner."
Official program for the dedication of the Washington Elm at the Naval Academy.
The Washington Elm dedication at the U.S. Naval Academy, April 6, 1932. To the left behind the onlookers is the bandstand on Worden Field and in the background the officers' quarters on Upshur Road.
The Washington Elm dedication with the Engineering & Aeronautics Building in the background. A Revolutionary War-era cannon sits to the right of the official party. In her correspondence with the Superintendent, Mrs. Alger had suggested that a cannon be placed near the tree.
From left to right, standing behind the scion of the Cambridge Washington Elm, Rear Admiral Thomas G. Hart, Superintendent of the Naval Academy; Louisa Taylor Alger, regent of the Peggy Stewart Tea Party Chapter of the DAR; "the Regent DAR," presumably Annie Elizabeth Thomas Lilburn, Maryland state regent; Alice Paret Dorsey, DAR National Vice Chairman, Eastern Division--Conservation and Thrift; Chaplain Frank H. Lash.
The bronze tablet that was placed near the Washington Elm at the Naval Academy.
Sadly, the Naval Academy's Washington Elm is no more. When Alumni Hall was under construction, the Washington Elm and three other trees near College Creek had to be taken down in January, 1988.
Sources:
Lossing, Benson J. The Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution, 2 vols. New York: Harper & Bros., 1851-1852. E 208.L88 1851-1852. Quote from vol.1, p. 564.
RG 405 Records of the United States Naval Academy, Entry 39b Office of the Superintendent General Correspondence 1845-1989, Series 8 Buildings, Grounds, and Athletic Facilities 1845-1989, Subseries 8d Grounds 1893-1959, Box 1 Folder 6.
RG 405 Records of the United States Naval Academy, Entry 151d Office of the Commandant Watch Logs and Reports 1845-2018, Log of the U.S. Naval Academy 1932 March 7-1933 January 11.
Washington Elm Debate Rages On: Fact or Legend?
0 Comments.